Our Central Team (ID 1303)

• Yvonne Brown
  Chief Executive Officer
  Yvonne Brown

  Yvonne has worked in the education sector for over 34 years, across eight local authorities. She is passionate about improving the life chances of all children and ensures that the schools she works with share the Trust values. Yvonne firmly believes that schools should be magical places for children, where they can learn and explore in safe, creative environments. She has promoted an inclusive culture across Leading Learners and is delighted to be the CEO of such a caring organisation, that puts children first.

  Before taking up the post of CEO in April 2016, Yvonne had 21 years' experience of successful headship, including executive headship across three schools. She was Headteacher at Tyldesley Primary School and led it to an outstanding Ofsted judgement in 2010. She has a proven track record of improving primary schools across the Northwest and West Yorkshire and her expertise includes: leadership development, strategic planning, curriculum design; developing teams; and coaching and mentoring.

  Yvonne is committed to the professional development of the whole workforce and has successfully developed staff, leading to many being promoted within the Trust. She is keen to continue her own learning journey and has recently graduated from Buckingham University, gaining an MBA, with distinction in Educational Management.

  Yvonne is extremely proud of Leading Learners and the unique family community that has grown, and is continuing to grow, across the Trust.

• David Harrison
  Director of Education
  David Harrison

  David is Director of Education within the Trust, playing a central role, under the guidance of the CEO, in developing Trust systems, processes and strategy. David works closely with the Trust Central Team and School Leadership Teams in supporting all of our schools to work together to ensure that children and staff get access to the opportunities, knowledge and skills to succeed. He is passionate about strategic school improvement and strongly advocates for a school improvement approach that places excellent outcomes alongside inclusivity.

  David has been with the organisation since 2015 and has extensive experience as a headteacher, executive headteacher and school improvement partner for schools across Yorkshire and the North West. He has completed the NPQEL.

• Liam Knowles
  Chief Finance and Operations Officer
  Liam Knowles

  Liam joined the Trust in June 2020 following eleven years working within complex social, charitable and commercial organisations. He has been integral in improving and modernising workflows and reporting processes across the Trust, developing existing systems and implementing new ones where required. Liam is also responsible for overseeing strategic works on the Trusts estate- making improvements, ensuring its safety, and moving towards net zero carbon emissions.

  Liam is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and has a diverse range of skills acquired in roles within accounting, finance business partnering, internal audit and project management before taking on his first Finance Director role in 2019. He is an advocate of continual professional development and producing high-performing teams through his commitment to coaching others to realise their potential.

• Sonia Green
  Head of Finance and Operations
  Sonia Green

  Sonia has worked at Worth Valley Primary School since September 2008 and has been with Leading Learners since the start of their journey as a Multi Academy Trust. She has recently taken on a new role within the organisation as Head of Finance and Operations. With the qualifications, training and knowledge Sonia has gained over the past 12 years, she is looking forward to using this to help develop staff across the Trust Schools.

• Simon Howard
  Head of Finance
  Simon Howard

  Simon joined Leading Learners in April 2024 after six years in a number of finance roles working for the leading provider of specialist education in the UK. Prior to that he worked for ten years within social and charitable organisations.

  Simon is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and has acquired a varied range of skills in management and financial accounting, finance business partnering, staff management and led on various change projects. He is committed to working to enhance internal financial controls, reporting and procurement processes to allow school staff to more effectively use resources for the benefit of the children within our schools.

• Lewis Holgate
  Finance Officer
  Lewis Holgate

  Lewis joined the Trust's Finance apprentice of Tyldesley Primary School in 2020. Having completed his AAT studies and taking on more responsibilities, Lewis was appointed to the role of Finance Officer in 2024 allowing him to continue his development in the central team during an exciting period of growth.

• Masara Sandells
  Governance Manager and Executive Support
  Masara Sandells

  Masara started off her career as a Solicitor having completed her Law degree and Masters in law in 2016. She has worked in both private and public sectors in legal and executive support roles, which has allowed her to develop her skills around risk management and effective communication.

  Masara is responsible for the delivery of high quality governance and administrative services to the Trust Board, Local Governing Boards and Executive Team. Her role entails advising the Chair of the Board on governance processes and practices and ensuring the Trust Board’s decisions are acted upon and are in accordance with the Trust’s Articles of Association and Memorandum.

  She plays a key role in developing governance policies and practices to ensure that the Trust and Academies comply with all of their regulatory and statutory requirements. Masara will work closely with Academies and their Local Governing Boards to identify where governance is working well and areas for improvement. Masara is passionate about creating an open and supportive network for those who she supports and acknowledges the link between effective governance and a successful organisation.

• Justin Cowley
  Data & IT Manager
  Justin Cowley

  Justin began his career as a HR Manager, Store Manager and Operations Manager for Asda having completed his degree in Retail Marketing. He then started a teaching career in 2008 which has included class teacher, subject lead, assistant and deputy head teacher along with two years working as an advisory teacher for the local authority.

  He is passionate about primary education and motivated to lead and inspire generations of children, staff, parents and whole communities to improve outcomes for themselves and to lead better lives. Justin’s core educational philosophy is that if children feel safe and are inspired by coming to school, then they will learn and succeed.

  As Data Manager for the Trust, Justin is responsible for developing data-oriented systems to meet the Trust’s needs. This includes developing systems, procedures and policies for data management, assisting colleagues in performing data-related tasks, and networking with our schools and Trustees to ensure they have the correct information they need to make timely decisions to best support our children.

• Adele Benn
  Human Resources Officer
  Adele Benn

  Adele joined the Trust as HR Officer in March 2024. Adele started her career in Human Recourses back in 2007. She has worked across various different sectors both private and public sector, which has given her the experience, knowledge and skills to be able to guide and support the Trust HR provision.

• Rebecca Bridges
  Director of School Improvement (Wirral)
  Rebecca Bridges

  Rebecca joined the Trust in April 2024 as Director of School Improvement for the North WestHub. A passionate advocate for strategic school improvement, Rebecca is committed to a school improvement approach that prioritises both excellent outcomes and inclusivity. As a resilient and dedicated leader with over 31 years in education—including 17 years as a Headteacher Rebecca has successfully transformed schools, fostering a collaborative approach to the holistic development of each and every child.

  Recognised as a visible and innovative leader, Rebecca is known for welcoming change and inspiring others through a strong vision centred on pupil achievement and well-being. She is passionate about ensuring every child reaches their full potential, serving as a guiding principle in every decision and initiative undertaken.

  With extensive experience in various roles, including as a Senior leader and Deputy Headteacher, working across two local authorities, Rebecca brings an extensive understanding of educational leadership. Currently completing the NPQEL, she remains committed to continuous learning and growth, modelling the same values encouraged in pupils and colleagues. Rebecca deeply believes in the power of G.R.I.T.—Growth, Resilience, Independence, and Teamwork—and actively cultivates these qualities in both pupils and staff, creating a culture that embraces lifelong learning.

  She is proud to be part of the Leading Learners family and her role in guiding schools and children to promising futures.

• Nicky Kilvington
  Director of School Improvement - Yorkshire Hub
  Nicky Kilvington

  Nicky joined Leading Learners in July 2023 when Carrwood Primary School, where she was Executive Head, joined the trust. She has worked within the education sector for 27 years and has 15 years of headship experience, the last six years have been within a Primary Federation. Prior to becoming a Head Nicky was a Primary Strategy Literacy Consultant and Deputy Head in a large three form entry school.

  Throughout her headships Nicky has supported other schools across the district through her role as Area Headteacher Lead for the Bradford Primary and Improvement Partnership supporting schools across Bradford South and also as an Assessment lead within the same partnership, developing assessment materials for all schools to use data effectively.

  Nicky has a proven track record of school improvement taking a previous school from satisfactory to good and in her most recent role taking the most deprived school in the district which had three RI judgements to good. She has experience of developing a positive school culture, working with schools in challenging situations and areas of deprivation, engaging with the community and developing strong parental relationships. She is committed to ensuring that each and every child gets the best education possible within a positive school experience.

• Emma Greenwood
  Trust Lead for Inclusion and Safeguarding
  Emma Greenwood

  Emma initially joined Woodside Academy, part of Leading Learners, in 2010. She has worked in multiple teaching and leadership roles, gaining considerable experience and strength in the fields of SEND and Safeguarding.

  As an experienced SENDCO and DSL, Emma’s driving motivation is to ensure that the most vulnerable children in our schools get the very best that Leading Learners has to offer. Whilst being the designated teacher for Children Looked After, Emma oversaw the largest number of CLA’s of any primary school in Bradford. She is passionate about Attachment Awareness and Trauma Informed practice and is accredited as a national lead in this field.

  Emma works closely with external professionals and families and is committed to the development of SENDCO's, inclusion leads, safeguarding leads and wider staff teams, to ensure that the most vulnerable children in schools get the support, opportunity and best practice that they deserve.

• Sarah Keinhorst
  Trust Lead for Teaching and Learning
  Sarah Keinhorst

  Sarah joined Woodside Academy, part of Leading Learners, in 2014 when she completed the Teach First training programme.

  Sarah is an experienced teacher who has taught across the primary age range in a number of schools, consistently demonstrating high expectations and outstanding practice. Sarah is passionate about tackling educational and social inequality and engages regularly with the Teach First ambassador community in order to share innovative and exciting education initiatives. Sarah is committed to supporting new teachers to raise the quality of teaching and learning so that all children can benefit from a high-quality education.

• Sarah McFarlane
  Trust Lead for Inclusion and Safeguarding - Wirral Hub
  Sarah McFarlane

  Sarah has dedicated over 25 years to the field of education, a journey marked by a profound commitment to fostering learning and development in children. Throughout her career, she has held various roles including experienced class teacher, Subject Leader, and Deputy Head Teacher, bringing a wealth of knowledge and practical expertise to each position. In her most recent capacity as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDco), she has been passionate about championing inclusion and ensuring that every child, regardless of their abilities or background, has access to the high-quality education they deserve.

  Sarah's collaborative approach involves working closely with a range of external agencies, families, and support services to develop tailored strategies that provide children with the necessary support to thrive both academically and socially. In her commitment to enhancing educational environments, she has successfully forged partnerships that promote holistic support for learners with diverse needs. Beginning in September 2024, Sarah will take on the role of Safeguarding and Inclusion led, where she will continue to advocate for best practices in teaching and learning while ensuring that vulnerable students receive the guidance they require for success.

  Her experience also includes working within the local authority as a lead writing moderator, where she has played a crucial role in raising writing standards across multiple schools. This experience has further enriched her understanding of effective teaching methodologies and assessment practices. With her extensive background and dedication to educational excellence, Sarah stands as a key advocate for inclusivity, striving to create an environment where every child can flourish.

• Craig Smith
  Lead Practioner - Wirral
  Craig Smith

  Craig joined Leading Learners in 2024, bringing over 14 years of teaching experience. His career includes two years in the Middle East, where he enhanced his skills in diverse educational settings. Throughout his teaching journey, Craig has led various subjects, including mathematics and science, and has played significant roles within senior leadership teams.

  As a curriculum team leader, he has been pivotal in developing innovative strategies to boost student achievement. Craig's enthusiasm for pedagogy drives his commitment to professional development; he has led coaching models across school, fostering a culture of improvement. Previously, as a research and development lead, he collaborated with the Maths Hub to enhance mathematics education. With a passion for advancing teaching methodologies, Craig is dedicated to inspiring educators and learners alike.

Schools Team (ID 1304)

• Kate Ball
  Headteacher, Brookdale Primary School
  Kate Ball

  Kate has enjoyed a career in education for almost 20 years, first as a teaching assistant then as a teacher and finally deputy head before joining Brookdale as Headteacher in 2021. Kate has a background in SEND and inclusion, Modern Foreign Languages and Maths. Kate is proud to lead Brookdale in joining the Leading Learners Trust family which she believes will assist the school in driving continuous improvement and provide positive support for the whole school community.

  Kate is passionate about building strong relationships within the school family and with other schools and agencies to ensure that the best outcomes are achieved for the children. Kate believes in the power of improving outcomes through the principles of inclusion: excellence in quality first teaching and offering highly effective support for the vulnerable and those with additional needs.

• Nicola Malt
  Headteacher - Carrwood Primary School
  Nicola Malt

  Nicola joined Carrwood Primary School, part of Leading Learners, in 2016, where she specialised in Early Years before becoming Assistant Headteacher. Nicola began her Headship in January 2023 and was a key part of the team who navigated the school from “Requires Improvement” to “Good”.

  Nicola believes all children at Carrwood can ‘dream big’ and is determined all children will receive an experience rich and high-quality curriculum, linked strongly with a love of reading. Nicola has led on a number of school improvement initiatives and ensures the children are at the heart of every decision made. She is also passionate about school and families working together in partnership to ensure the best outcomes are achieved for every child, regardless of their starting points.

• Gary Stott
  Headteacher, Reevy Hill Primary School
  Gary Stott

  Gary joined Reevy Hill, part of Leading Learners, as the Deputy Headteacher in January 2016. He initially led on teaching and learning across the school while teaching in Year 6, before taking on the strategic leadership of the school's curriculum offer and becoming the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Gary was a key part of the senior leadership team that drove the school from “Requires Improvement” to “Good” in three years.

  Gary took over the Headship at Reevy Hill in June 2020. He values forming positive working relationships with Trust senior leaders and Governors, as well as the school staff team, children and parents/carers in order to improve outcomes for children. Gary is passionate about providing children with opportunities to become proud of who they are and to be the best they can be through their experiences at Reevy Hill.

• Janet Shorrock
  Headteacher - Tyldesley Primary School
  Janet Shorrock

  Janet has worked at Tyldesley Primary School, part of Leading Learners, for over 15 years. She has a long track record of school improvement and is passionate about inclusion.

  Janet believes that being part of a Trust really makes the difference to school improvement, bringing more than just a partnership between schools: It means that improvements are long term and senior leaders really invest in each other and the schools they work with.

• Kirsty Porter
  Headteacher, Woodside Academy
  Kirsty Porter

  Kirsty joined Woodside Academy, part of Leading Learners, in 2009 and has worked across multiple teaching and leadership roles during her time with the Trust. Kirsty's expertise is most prevalent in her leadership of teaching and learning. Her proven track record of success in teaching and leadership across all phases, combined with her passion for developing highly effective staff teams, has led her to be the Headteacher of Woodside Academy as part of the Leading Learners family.

  Kirsty is passionate about improving outcomes through ensuring excellence in quality first teaching, behaviours for learning and offering highly effective support for the vulnerable and those with additional needs. Kirsty is a keen advocate of the power of early reading in order to improve life chances for children during their education and beyond.

• Ceinwen Lodge
  Headteacher, Worth Valley Primary School
  Ceinwen Lodge

  Ceinwen joined Woodside Academy, part of Leading Learners, in 2007. She taught and led across the school, specialising in Key Stage 2 before becoming Assistant Principal. The Trust promoted Ceinwen to become Headteacher of Worth Valley Primary School in September 2018 and she successfully navigated the school from “Requires Improvement” to “Good”.

  Ceinwen has ambitious plans for the school and is determined to lead it to become the outstanding school she knows it should be. She is passionate about providing children with a rich, diverse and high-quality education, driven by excellent quality first teaching. Ceinwen believes in children as individuals and that the key to success is harnessing the individual child's interests, passions and strengths. She has transformed the community perception of Worth Valley by working together, in partnership, to ensure the importance of education is understood by the whole school community.

• Catherine O'Neill Edwards
  Headteacher, Mendell Primary School
  Catherine O'Neill Edwards

  Catherine joined the Leading Learners Trust with her school Mendell Primary in December 2023.

  Catherine has a proven track record of school improvement after moving her previous school from requires improvement to good, as well as securing an outstanding SIAMS inspection.

  Catherine joined Mendell Primary in 2017 and since then the school has gone from strength to strength with data improving which is now above or inline with national average in all subjects and key stages.

  Catherine believes in nurturing each child as an individual and aims for each child to feel like they belong in the school family.

• Nicola Lightwing
  Headteacher, Manor Primary School
  Nicola Lightwing

  Nicola joined Manor Primary in 2004. She has a wide range of successful teaching experience from Foundation stage to Year 6 before becoming Headteacher in 2012. She has worked tirelessly to develop a safe, nurturing, family orientated school for all children and parents.

  Nicola is passionate at ensuring the school is fully inclusive and that all children can succeed to be ‘the best that they can be’ regardless of their starting points. She is passionate about improving life opportunities for all children and that their education reaches beyond the classroom.

  After joining Leading Learners in January 2024, Nicola is now determined that with the support of the Trust, she can lead the school to improving outcomes for all the children.

• Anne Sheridan
  Headteacher, Overchurch Junior School
  Anne Sheridan

  Anne joined Overchurch Junior School as Deputy Headteacher after her role as Advisory Teacher for Wirral Local Authority. She became headteacher in 2020. The school joined Leading Learners Trust in January 2024. Anne is a dedicated headteacher who fosters a nurturing and inclusive environment for both children and staff. Passionate about creating an environment where every child feels valued and inspired to reach their potential is demonstrated in the strong end of key stage data which has been above the national average over the last two years.

  Anne is excited about the future of Overchurch Junior School and remains committed to driving the school towards excellence, ensuring it remains a place where every child can thrive. She shares the values enshrined in Leading Learners Trust and knows that working together in the trust can make a difference to the lives of children.

• Claire Temple
  Headteacher, Sandbrook Primary School
  Claire Temple

  Caire is a dedicated and determined educator, with a passion for learning. Claire joined Sandbrook Primary as headteacher in 2011, having enjoyed various roles in education including outdoor education instructor, KS2 teacher, local authority English consultant and deputy headteacher. Since joining Sandbrook, Claire has worked tirelessly to create a warm and inclusive school where each learner is enabled to become their best, unique self.

  Claire shares the values of the Leading Learners Trust and knows that working together with colleagues within the Trust will help her lead the school to improving outcomes for all the children.